Why We Have to Listen to the #YesAllWomen Movement

In response to the misogynistic writing that was revealed in Elliot Rodger’s journal after his murder spree, the #YesAllWomen movement has emerged as a rallying cry for women to share experiences of sexism and misogyny in the form of domestic violence, sexual abuse, discrimination and harassment. The phrase "YesAllWomen" emerged to establish how pervasive and commonplace these experiences of discrimination are and to address the problematic, broad cultural attitudes towards women. The evidence is overwhelming that discrimination against women in all its forms has serious mental and physical health consequences and needs to be considered a top public health priority.

Discrimination against women is rampant across the world and seeps into many aspects of women’s lives. Recently the most extreme and horrifying example of discrimination is the Boko Haram kidnapping of over 200 Nigerian girls and threatening to sell them into sexual slavery. The World Health Organization has described violence against women as “perhaps the most shameful human rights violation, and the most pervasive,” with a staggering 35 percent of women worldwide having experienced either intimate partner violence (IPV) or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. Twenty percent of women report childhood sexual abuse as compared to 5 percent of boys. Seventy-four percent of all childhood missing persons homicide cases are girls, with sexual assault being the motivation in the majority of cases.

But discrimination does not only manifest in the form of violence. Twenty-five percent of women report sexual harassment in the workplace. Further, women experience several forms of institutional disparity; for example, women still receive less money for the same job as men and are required to pay more in health insurance than men. The experience of sexism is so common that research suggests women can experience one to two instances of “everyday sexism” per week, ranging from stated gender stereotypes to being called denigrating names to sexual objectification.

Not only is discrimination commonplace, but the mental and physical health consequences have been clearly established. Sexual assault, IPV and sexual harassment have all been linked to a range of psychological problems, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as physical health problems such as gastrointestinal disorders and chronic pain. And these effects can be long-lasting. One study tracked a group of girls ranging in age from 6 to 16 at the start of the study for the next 23 years. This study found that in comparison to a control group of non-abused girls, abused girls had higher rates of depression and obesity, as well as problems with lower cortisol, which was interpreted as evidence of “burnout” from stress. Evidence suggests that even seemingly benign forms of sexism such as gender stereotypes predict increased depression and lower self-esteem in women. And it has long been held that societal emphasis on women’s looks and bodies perpetuates unhealthy body image and eating disordered behavior.

Why does this discrimination occur?

There are many paths to discrimination, but many point to something unseen: societal norms that send the message that men are dominant, better or preferred over women. These norms dictate expectations and evaluations of women. Researchers have demonstrated that in some cases this sentiment is expressed in what is called hostile sexism, in which a person has a negative view towards women (e.g., women are too sensitive). But this attitude does not have to be malicious in order to have an effect. Another type of sexist attitude is referred to as benevolent sexism, in which someone will not think negatively of women per se, but stereotypes women in specific ways that may be objectifying or limiting. As an example, the tendency to comment on a woman’s appearance more frequently than a man’s, even if in a positive way, sends a message that women are judged on their looks more than men.

While benevolent sexism may seem benign, evidence shows it is not only linked to hostile sexism, but has negative effects on women. In one study, researchers examined both hostile and benevolently sexist statements among 15,000 men and women across 19 different countries. They found that hostile and benevolent sexism tend to correlate highly across nations. Secondly, they discovered that benevolent sexism was a significant predictor of nationwide gender inequality, independent of the effects of hostile sexism. In countries where the men were more likely to endorse benevolent sexism, even when controlling for hostile sexism, men also lived longer, had higher levels of education and literacy, and had more money than women.

Further, sexist beliefs have been linked to violence against women. One meta-analytic review examined the relation of a range of sexist beliefs to sexual aggression (e.g., forcing a woman to commit a sexual act against her will or being sexually coercive) across 39 different studies. The review found that a range of sexist attitudes towards women predicted sexual aggression. These beliefs included stereotypical gender roles (e.g., “A wife should never contradict her husband in public”), beliefs of superiority of men as compared to women (e.g., “The intellectual leadership of a community should be largely in the hands of men”) and acceptance of interpersonal violence (e.g., “Being roughed up is sexually stimulating to many women”). Similarly, research also shows that dating violence is more likely to be perpetrated by men who find dating violence “justifiable.”

So what can be done?

Evidence suggests that changing the culture of gender bias requires a multi-level approach. It goes without saying that many of the issues discussed (e.g., sexual assault) require legal and law enforcement solutions. Further, treatment programs that address the psychological issues that often accompany violent offenders are crucial.

But more needs to be done on a societal and cultural level. Consistent with the spirit of the #YesAllWomen movement, it turns out that confronting men on their biased behavior in fact influences behavior. In a 2010 study, researchers asked men and women to collaborate on a problem-solving exercise. They then asked the women to confront the men either for sexism (e.g., assuming that a nurse would be female) or on a “gender-neutral” mistake. Men accused of sexism not only did not react with hostility, but consequently were more likely to apologize for their remark. Further, men accused of sexism were nicer to the women when solving a second set of problems, and at the end of the experiment reported liking their partners more than did the men who were accused of the gender-neutral mistake. The results of this study are consistent with initial data suggesting that brief educational interventions can attenuate benevolent sexism in men. More work clearly needs to be done to determine whether more hostile forms of sexism are also malleable.

The #YesAllWomen movement has reached over one million tweets and is growing. The stakes are high, as the effects of gender bias and discrimination are overwhelming. This will be a difficult change, as these attitudes are often deeply rooted and outside of awareness. But we must continue to increase awareness, for the benefits to addressing sexism and discrimination are considerable.

As the late Maya Angelou said: “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”

Dr. Mike Friedman is a clinical psychologist in Manhattan and a member of EHE International’s Medical Advisory Board. Follow Dr. Friedman on Twitter @DrMikeFriedman and EHE @EHEintl.

I have always been respectful of women. I work with and for women, they respect me and I respect them...

...BUT

This constant drone that men need to be fixed and women are perpetually victims and have no culpability in their own problems, as well as, the implication that all of the problems women face are somehow directly or indirectly the fault and responsibility of all men is really beginning to piss me off.

If I didn't experience real world interaction with women on all levels and only read information like this, I think I could have easily become a misogynist.

Men and women need to UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER, not just men need to be taught right from wrong like some kind of preachy adult version of the Berenstain Bears books.

Enough of promoting this phony war between the sexes before we all end up hating each other.

"This constant drone that men need to be fixed and women are perpetually victims and have no culpability in their own problems, as well as, the implication that all of the problems women face are somehow directly or indirectly the fault and responsibility of all men is really beginning to piss me off."

This is not what this article says, nor is it what the YesAllWomen movement is about. Nobody is saying that "all of the problems women face are somehow directly or indirectly the fault and responsibility of all men". This is nothing less than a strawman.

As a men hater. You should change your pseudo as miss mysandry. I understand that you will not move one iota. I wonder if this site should take note of psychological issues.
There is abuse and then there is you on top. But of course you are a person that has no respect for society. Not even for women. You have an obsessive, delusive stance.
I wonder why the author can not publish how a mother disposes of a baby boy in the bar toilet, etc. I guess that is the ideal world of DEL.

There is no "war" between the sexes, unless by that you mean that men want to remain in power and women are fighting to take it away from them. If that's how you see it, then I suppose it makes sense that you perceive it as a "war". In reality, feminists want to be equal to men. We do not want to take away power, we want to be equal.

You don't get a medal for being respectful toward women. Do you want congratulations for exercising basic human decency?

Did you read the statistics in the piece above? Reading is immensely helpful to comprehension, prior to commenting, so that you don't sound like a moron when you do comment. Women are constantly harassed, ogled, catcalled. It's so pervasive that we're used to it, and that is NOT acceptable. It's the responsibility of all men to treat women with respect as human beings. Being harassed, ogled and catcalled, or sexually assaulted, IS NOT EVER EVER EVER THE EFFING FAULT OF ANY WOMAN. We ARE victims of being harassed and sexually assaulted. WE ALL ARE. Every single woman you know, every single one you care about, they all have experienced it. And YOU are part of the problem.

The most disgusting thing about trolls like you is that you probably have women in your life that you claim to care about, and yet you write comments that dismiss them and diminish them. You'd rather feel sorry for yourself than try to elevate them, and that's a disgusting way to treat people you care about.

"Women are perpetually victims" - but many are - don't you ever read a newspaper? Do you think the recent murder victims in California aren't victims? Or the girls kidnapped in Nigeria? Or the women beaten every day by their partners? What actual term would you use for victim, I'm curious.

Hint: more than 1,000 women die at the hands of their male partners every year in the USA alone.

Extend that to the whole world, including places where things like honour killings are considered acceptable or even required, and we are talking dozens upon dozens of thousands of women dying each year at the hands of men.

Sexism, mysoginy and violence against women are primarily perpetuated by men. I don't understand how you can conclude in a conversation about misogyny and male violence against women that women somehow have some responsibility for or role to play in preventing that behavior. It's like saying that those who were and are oppressed by racism or the slavery system need to stop 'playing the victim', work with their oppressors and look at their own roll in causing the situation. That is deeply offensive and ridiculous.

Nobody is saying all men are sexist, misogynistic or violent. If men hear that, that is simply a knee jerk response because they haven't listened or don't want to hear. The reality and pervasiveness of male violence no doubt makes men feel uncomfortable. So imagine how uncomfortable - and much worse - it makes women feel. That's the point of this article. Lets not derail and make it all about men and their hurt feelings or discomfort.

The exploitation, manipulation, contempt, and hostility women have been pouring on men and into the culture for decades is like emotional DDT: it does not break down and go away but rather keeps building up until it reaches toxic levels.

What life is going to be like for women over the next few decades is very sad. And, sadder still is the way they have so used up men that few men will have any compassion left for them at all.

I'm actually surprised there's one left who takes all their bitching and moaning at all seriously for even a moment. The idea that the most pampered, privileged, entitles, and empowered women on the planet ever all are slaughtered saints is ludicrous.

Did you even read the statistics in the article you're commenting on? The only thing that's sad here is YOU. There are plenty of real men who are indeed compassionate to making women equal to men. You're an insecure and pathetic example of the male gender. I'm sure you do feel contempt and hostility from women; you're clearly deserving of it. Do we owe you kindness, when you so clearly have none for us? Don't expect what you don't give.

How bitter you are. The article is discussing violence and harassment of women. I guess that's something you approve. Women do not wish to be stalked, harassed, murdered, or physically assaulted. I guess something as basic as that is beyond your comprehension. Instead you want to whine about something else. Grow up.

Gotta love this crap narrative...get over yourself pal! The most discriminated against person on the planet is the conservative/hetero/white/christian/male...that is a fact.BUT you keep punching that victim card liberal women,homosexuals,minorities and trannies.Keep on keepin on.Sick of tired of hearing how horrible and racist and sexist american men are.Go pick up a rifle and fight a few wars on the frontlines of battles,go be made to be cannon fodder for every damn war and get spit in the face like our vietnam vets endured....or stfu already! B cuz dat dawg dont hunt no mo

Speaking of hate-The reason Liberal WHITE women hate ASIAN women so much these days is because they're taking White men and that enrages White females.They resent them for it and it just goes to show the insecurity of White women out there in modern america.I guess harping on imaginedsexual assaults that aren't occuring makes liberal white women feel better they need to be a victim and get attention--afterall White men sure as hell ain't guving them any nowadays:)

Submitted by REAL men against Domestic Violence on June 5, 2014 - 11:27am

Plenty of examples above as to why this trend continues. Trend being disrespect towards women AND men. Ever occur to ANY of you that maybe, just maybe that while fixing one issue, other issues will be fixed as well. The closed minded attitudes shown here only strengthen the thought that women are a less superior sex and will continue to be treated as such. It truly is a great article with scary stats but IT CAN BE CHANGED. It has been proven time and time again, both in history and in current events that the statement "Women are treated unfairly" is accurate. I will continue to do what I can, as a REAL man, to educate and bring awareness to the rising number of cases of domestic violence. Dr. Michael Friedman, continue doing what you do and make the cowards shiver in fear, that their game WILL catch up to them and REAL men won't stand it!

"Trend being disrespect towards women AND men. Ever occur to ANY of you that maybe, just maybe that while fixing one issue, other issues will be fixed as well."

Exactly! There are many issues which are rooted in sexism, including some issues which afflict only boys and men. For example, if sexism didn't exist, then boys and men would be allowed to act and react as feels natural to them, without running the risk of being told that they are "acting like sissies" or similar stuff. They would be able to partake of any activity they feel like, without being told that "this is for girls and wussies". And so on and so forth. Women are the main victims of sexism BY FAR, but men can also be victimised by this system which tells them that they have to be this way and act that way to be so-called "real men".

Both men and women would benefit from the eradication of sexism. The only people who would stand to lose anything are misogynists.

Most of the time it seems it's men who 'play the victim' on this issue. Apparently, men are the oppressed and downtrodden victims of women who merely point out that there is a pervasive problem with male violence against girls and women around the world, which is rooted in misogyny. Talk about a bad case of projection.

Like i said liberal white women have serious anger issues thats why the need to continue the phony narrative that there is an epidemic of misogyny,oppression and a war on women.These girls (most of them 20 and 30 somethings)have never faced any real adversity in their lives so they need a cause and a battle cry.Also,i am for sure that alot of feminists are livid as h3ll that men (mainly white men) are really starting to abandon them en masse for asian and latina women.Its a fact of life.Id look for the white/white marriage rates to take quite a tumble,alot of white women have burned all the bridges around them and are sinking.IMO they have finally bitten off more then they can chew--hey ya always got black,latino and asian guys ladies cheer up put on a happy face :)